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Efforts to reach a peace agreement between the two sides have failed, and the Taliban are now seeking to permanently end their lightning-free military campaign, which took control of the rest of Afghanistan in August.
“The Taliban have a huge advantage,” said Nishank Motwani, an Afghan analyst working in Australia. He noted that Islamists are encouraged by recent victories.
“They are very well armed, and the psychological factor is in their favor, because they quickly overthrew the government,” added the expert.
The Taliban have seized a vast arsenal of weapons and military equipment that the United States had delivered to the defeated Afghan army before leaving the country. In addition, the combatants have the support of those released from prisons.
“The Taliban also have assault squads, even using deadly tactics,” Motwani said.
The National Resistance Front (NRF), which brings together anti-Taliban militants and former Afghan security forces, is also believed to have significant weapons arsenals in the valley some 80 km north of Kabul.
On Wednesday, senior Taliban official Amir Khan Agaqi released an audio message alleging that Islamist forces surrounded the valley. Furthermore, the people of Punjab are urged to convince the militants to lay down their arms.
“Say ‘enough’ to those who want to go to war”, Kh. Agaqi.
Ahmad Massoud (middle)
Recurring attacks
However, many Afghans fear that the new government is not austerity under the first Taliban regime in 1996-2001.
The new governors promise to be more moderate this time, but many people in Punjab are very skeptical of such promises.
A few hours after the Taliban’s warning, the Islamists resumed their attacks, attacking Kappa, south of Punjab, as well as the Chavaka Pass, west of the valley.
Both camps claim their opponents have suffered significant losses.
However, communication with the valley is difficult and the AFP news agency could not validate the messages received on the spot.
On Friday, NRF spokesman Ali Maisam Nazary said the Taliban had carried out more attacks the night before. AM Nazary is believed to be out of the valley, but maintains close ties with key leader Ahmad Massoud.
“There are fierce battles in Punjab,” said an NRF spokesman. – He [A. Massoudas] actively defending the valley. “
The latter is the son of the late partisan commander Ahmad Shah Massoud, also known as the “Lion of Punshire”, for his ability to resist first the Soviet Union and then the forces of the first Taliban regime.
Massoud is reportedly seeking regional autonomy. He said Wednesday that the Taliban had offered him “one or two posts” in the new administration, but he declined the deal.
“The Taliban have chosen the path of war,” the NRF chief said.
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